Typewriting machine



Nov. 19, 1929.

A. G. F. KURQWSKI TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1925 Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFRED G. F.v xuzaowsxr, or anooxmm,

NEW YORK, Assnmon. To tmimnwoon ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TYPEWRITING MACHINE Application filed November a celluloid backing around the platen of a.

typewriter stenciling machine, and is useful in connection with a machine disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. 43,492, filed July 14, 1925 (I1QW Patent No. 1,625,321, dated April 19, 1927). In said application, a machine is shown in which a stencil-card holder is arranged to reciprocate tangentially to a platen which is partly covered with a sheet of celluloid to provide .a backing for the types and to facilitate the cutting of the stencil-sheet. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for holding a celluloid plate which shall be easily manipulable and easy to clean, and which will hold the celluloid effectively upon the platen. Where the celluloid is slightly separated from the platen in spots, the stencil-cutting is impaired, and the typed stencils are inferior in those spots. In overcoming this difiiculty, aframe is used, in the present invention, which pulls the plate tightly around the cylinder. The frame is an open rectangular piece of springy sheetmetal, which is fastened at one edge to the platen, along which the frame extends, the platen having a longitudinal slot cut therein to accommodate screws which hold one edge of the frame against the platen. This frame stands open and permits the insertion of the flat celluloid plate or sheet.

One of the advantages of this invention arises from the use of a flat backing or plate in place of the previously curved or formed kind. This flat plate is caught tightly at one of its long edges, and is then pulled down against the platen by means of the frame, the sides of which overlie the sides of the plate.

The frame itself is flexible, and at its open end is drawn down into another longitudinal slot or recess in the platen, causing the celluloid plate to tighten upon the platen, so that it gives a solid resistance at all points in its area to the blows of the types. The frame is locked in its normal position by means of a manually-releasable latch, which is set in a recess in the platen. The closing of the latch tends to draw the frame more tightly upon the platen, hence to cause the plate to contact more firm- 12, 1925, Serial No. 08,532.

ly at all points with the platen. The latch is easy to open and close by a suitable manipulatlon, to release the frame so that the celluloid plate may be released and replaced by a fresh tlghtened upon the platen Figure 1 is a plan View of the improved so platen, and shows the locking means in ineffective position.

Figure 2 is a similar view, but shows the locking means in effective position.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the-platen, showing the celluloid frame in its released position.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the platen.

A platen, designed to be used with the machine disclosed in said application, includes a cyllnder 10 having end pieces 11 fast thereto, and is revolubly mounted, by means of an axle 12, in the side frames of a platen-frame, 7

not shown. p 1

According to certain features of this inventlon, there are provided a celluloid strip oi plate 13 and a frame 14 for holding said strip against the periphery of the platen. Since it is not desired to impair the cylindricity of the platen when the celluloid strip is applied thereto, 1t ls proposed to undercut the cylinder 10 at the point where it receives the celluloid backing a depth equal to the thickness of the celluloid, the undercut being indicated by the numeral 13. a I

The frame 14 is designed to hold the borders of the celluloid, and is secured to the platen, in a groove 15 cut longitudinally into the platen, by means of screws 16. In Figure 4 the frame is shown in its normal position and is bent slightl the celluloid strip being shown between t e frame 14 and-the cylinder 10. In order to hold the strip tightas ly stretched against the cylinder, said frame 14 is pressed down toward the platen to a position shown in Figure 3, and then by means of a latch in the form of an arm 17,

pivotally mounted at 18, within a pocket- 10o forming lateral extension 126 of the middle part of the upper groove-like recess: 26, the frame is locked upon the platen, thereby holding the celluloid strip in a perfectly smooth condition.

The latch 17 is made of a single piece of' sheet-metal, and hasa finger-piece 19, struck up therefrom, and a finger 20 preferably forming an integral part thereof, the finger 20 being designed to engage a hardened piece 21 secured to a reinforcing band or lip 22 forming an integral part of said frame and extendingsubstantially the full width thereof.

In order to relieve the pivot or screw 18 from undue bending stress, it is-proposed to provide a supporting or guiding piece '23 overlying an extension 24 of the latch 17, the supporting piece being effective to hold the latch down when the latch is in its effective position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The piece 23 may be formed by undercutting.

There is provideda groove-like recess 26 milled into the cylinder'10 for receiving the band22. Said and is made slightly narrower than'the width of the frame to which it is joined by a connecting piece 28 forming anintegral part of the frame and of theband.

In order to facilitate-the locating of the frame 14, which fits snugly between the end pieces 11, the connecting piece 28 is ta ered at the ends thereof, said tapered ends eing indicated by the numeral 27. In this manner the band 22, which is narrower than the frame first enters the slot 26 and then straightens the frame between the end ieces 11, preparatory to locking the frame 1n its effective position.

A feature of the present invention resides I in having the frame 14 exert a transverse pull on the plate 13, as well as impose a degree of ressure thereon, in a direction radially of the platen when the frame is latched, as shown in Figure 3. In this connection and by reason ofthe slight bend, previously referred to, in the frame, the normal distance between the portion 28 in recess 26 and the angular-shaped extension 30 in recess 15 is less than the distance'between adjacent side walls of said recesses, so that, in flexing the portion 28 incidental to springing the same into recess 26, a transverse pull is exerted on the frame, and this pull is transmitted to the plate 13 through frictional contact'with the frame. It is to be further noted, in this connection, that the angular-shaped extension 30 directs the transverse pull by the frame, upon a side wall of recess 15, which provides a generous anchorage and prevents a transverse pull by the frame upon the screws 16.

, Variations may be resorted to within the scope ofthe invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

prolongation at the upper endof the frame and being insertable into the upper groovelike recess, and means for releasably secur-- ing said front prolongation within said upper groove-like recess.

' 2. The combination with a cylindrical platen for a typewriting machine, of means for releasably securing a strip of backing material to the typing surface of the laten, for

stencil-cutting, said means incu ding two groove-like recesses extending longitudinally over the platen at'two different parts ofits circumference, a rectangular frame which presses the strip against the platen-surface, an angle-shaped anchoring prolongation at the lower end of the frame extending into the lower groove-like recess, means for fixing said anchoring prolongation within the'lastmentioned recess, an angle-shaped front prolongation at the upper end of the frame and being insertable into the upper'groove-like recess, a ocketforming lateral extension of the middle part of said upper groove-like recess, and a latch-piece mounted in the pocket but being movable into the adjoining groove-like recess, so as to lock the front prolongation of the frame within this recess.

3. The combination with a cylindrical platen for a 'typewriting machine, of means for releasably securing a stri of backing material to the typing surface 0 said platen, for

stencil cutting, said means including, a rectangular frame which presses the strip against the platen-surface, the' lower portion of said frame being secured in a longitudinal recess in said platen, the upper portion of said frame being insertable into a second longitudinal recess in the platen, a pocket extending across the platen and mer ed with said second recess, an arm pivote in said pocket,- a finger carried by said arm and movable therewith into or away from the second recess wherebyto respectively engage or disengage said upper portion of the frame, a guide assoicated with the free end of said arm to hold said free end down into the pocket, and a finger-piece carried by the arm for operating the same.

platen for a typewriting machine, of means for releasably securing a strip of backing material to the typing surface of said p aten, for stencil cutting, said means including a rectangular frame which presses the strip against the platen-surface, the lower portion of said frame being secured in a longitudinal recess in said platen, the upper portion of said frame being insertable into a second longitudinal recess in the platen, a latch includ ing an arm pivoted in a pocket below the platen-surface, a finger carried by said arm and swingable into the second recess or away therefrom to respectively engage or disengage the upper portion of the frame, a guide engaging the upper surface of said arm to hold said finger down against the frame when engaged therewith, and a stop for limiting the swing of said arm. a .7

5. A platen for a typewriting machine designed to be used for typing stencil-cards, means for securing a strip of hard material to a portion of said platen, to serve as a backing for cutting stencil-sheets in said cards, said means including a sheet-metal frame having an opening slightly smaller than the strip, and means for securing the frame-to the platen, said last-mentioned means including screws for securing one edge of the frame to the platen, a latch effective to lock the other edge of the frame, said latch being pivotally mounted and sunk into an opening in the platen, and means for operating said latch.

6. A platen for a typewriting machine designed to be used for typing stencil-cards, means for securing a strip of hard material to a portion of said platen, to serveas a backing for cutting stencil-sheets in said cards, said i means including a sheet-metal frame having an opening slightly smaller than the strip, and means for securing the frame to the platen, said last-mentioned means including screws for securing one edge of the frame to the platen, a latch effective to lock the other edge of the frame, said latch being effective to engage with a hardened piece fast to a reinforcing band forming an integral part of said frame, and means. for manually operating the latch.

7. A platen for a typewriting machine designed to be used for typing stencil-cards, means for securing a strip of hard material to a portion of said platen, to serve as a backing for cutting stencil-sheets in said cards, said means including I a sheet-metal frame having an opening slightly smaller than the strip and overlying the same, and means for securing said frame to the platen, said lastmentioned means including screws for securing one of the broad edges of the frame to the platen, and a latch for locking the other broad edge, said latch being pivotally mounted at one end thereof and having at the other curing a strip of backing material to the typ- 7 ing surfaces of the platen, said means including a rectangular frame of resilient material extending along the platen, the lower longitudinal edge of said frame being formed to be secured within a recess extending v lengthwise in the platen, the upper portion of said frame having the side edges thereof tapering so as to be readily received within a second recess extending lengthwise in the platen, said upper portion of the frame in- 0 eluding a lip fitting within said second recess, and a latch movable into engagement with the lip to hold the frame with the backing strip gripped against the platen, the latch being releasable to free said upper edge and thereby permit the frame to spring away from the platen to facilitate introduction and removal of the backing strip and to admit of r easy access to the frame.

9. The combination with a cylindrical platen for a typewriting machine, of means for'releasably securing a strip of backing material to the typing surface of said platen, for stencil cutting, said means including a rectangular frame which presses the strip against the platen-surface, the lower portion of said frame being secured in a longitudinal recess in said platen, the upper portion of said frame being insertable into a second longitudinal recess in the platen, a latch in the form of an arm swingable toward and-away from said second recess, and a finger carried. by the arm and engageable with the upper portion of the frame, the free end of said arm being movably confined beneath an under-cut formed in the platen, the portion of the platen formed by the under-cut providing a guide for holding the free end'of said arm down within the recess and thereby preventing the finger from springing away from the upper edge of said frame whenengaged therewith. 10. The combination with a cylindrical platen for a typewriting machine, of a frame for holding a backing strip a ainst the typing surface of said platen, sai frame having the lower edge thereof secured Within a recess extending longitudinally in the platen, the] upper side edges of said frame being tapered, said platen having a second longitudinal recess into which the upper portion and the tapered side edges of the frame are received.

11. A platen for. a stencil-card typewriting machine, having oppositely-disposed longitudinal recesses, a normally flat plate of hard resilient material disposed between said re- 1 5 cesses, and a resilient frame surrounding the .plate and having oppositely-disposed shouldered portions, one of which is fixedly secured within one of the recesses, and the other of which is sprung into the other of said recesses, and releasably secured therein under pressure.

' 12. A platen for stencil-card typewriting machines, having oppositely-disposed longitudinal recesses together with a normally fiat plate of hard resilient'material disposed between saidrecesses, and a resilient frame surrounding the plate and having oppositely-disposed shouldered portions spaced apart for a distance less than the distance between the recesses and effective for tensioning the frame and causing the same to exert a transverse pull on the plate by being secured within the recesses.

13. A platen for stencil-card typewriting machines, having oppositely-disposedlon itudinal recesses, a normally flat plate of hard resilient material disposed between said recesses, and a resilientframe surrounding the plate and elfective for tensioningand exerting a transverse pull upon the plate by having oppositely disposed portions thereof secured within the recesses, and other portions spaced apart for a distance less than the distance between the recesses, and bearing upon side walls thereof, and e'fiective for transmitting the transverse pull of the plate to saii side walls. 7

14. A platen for stencil-card tvpewriting machines, including a cylinder eing provided with anundercut extending over a part of its circumference, two groove-like recesses extending longitudinally over thecylinder at two difierent parts of its circumference and limiting two sides of the undercut on the circumference of the cylinder, two shield-plates arranged at the two ends of the cylinder and having on their whole circumference a diameter greater than the undercut part of the cylinder, so as to border the two circumferential sides of the undercut, a normally fiat plate of hard resilient material, corresponding in its size to the undercut part of the circumt'erence of the cylinder, and a frame corundercut on the cylinder and having two I ALFRED G. F. KUROWSKI.

responding to the undercut on the cylinder,

with twoend vprolongations to be anchored in the two groove-like recesses, sald frame surrounding and bearing upon said plate.

15. A platen for stencil-card typewriting machines, including a cylinder eing' provided with an undercut extending over a part o of its circumference, two groove-like recesses extending longitudinally over the cylinder at two different parts of its circumference and limiting two sides of the undercut on the circumference of the cylinder, two shield-plates arranged at the two ends of the cylinder and having on their whole circumference a diameter greater than the undercut part of the cylinder, so as to border the two circumferential sides of the undercut, a normally flat plate of hard resilient material, corresponding in its size to the undercut part of the cm cumference of the cylinder, and a slightly curved frame corresponding in its size to the 

